Modular hose reel



United States Patent [72] Inventor Howard M. Richardson 2,071,174 2/1937 Parker l37/355.23X 2807 Benner S!.,Philadelphia,- 2,219,201 /1940 Smith 137/355.23 Pennsylvania 19149 2,735,717 2/1956 Harman 137/355.17X [21] App]. No. 726,801 2,781,055 2/1957 Jackson... 137/580 [22] Filed May 6, 1968 3,437,105 4/1969 Stracek 137/355.23 Patented Aug. 11,1970

continuation-in-part of FOREIGN PATENTS Ser. No. 450,020, filed Apr. 1,010,465 6/1957 Germany 137/355.23 22, 1965 and Ser. No. 665,829, filed Sept. 6, 1967. Primary Examiner- Samuel Scott A ttorney- Robert K. Youtie [54] MODULAR HOSE REEL a 8 Claims, 17 Drawing Figs. [52] U.S.Cl. l37/355.23 f

1365!! 75/34 ABSTRACT: The instant invention is disclosed herein as a Field ofSearch ..l37/355.17, re l having a rotary, internally hollow core about which a 355-23 hose is wound for coilingv and uncoiling, and to which the 56 R f d hose is connected in fluid communication with the core I e erences interior, the latter being in turn adapted for connection to a N T STATES PATENTS source of fluid supply. The particular reel core is advan- 1,963,653 6/1934 Curtiss 137/355.23X tageously modularor sectional in construction.

f |.7J8 :9 7 M Patented Aug. 11, 1970 Sheet of2 Armewx MODULAR uoss REEL CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending patent application Serial No. 450,020, filed April 22, 1965,

entitled Hose Reel",and Serial No. 665,829, filed September 6, 1967, entitled Improved Hose Reel."

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The instant invention is concerned essentially with hose reels of the same general type as disclosed in the abovev referred-to copending patent applications wherein one or SUMMARY It is an important object of the present invention to provide a hose reel of the type described which is of a unique modular construction affording greatly enhanced ease in manufacture, as well as wide versatility in assembly of the components for installations having widely varying requirements.

It is another important object of the present invention to provide a hose-reel construction of the type described which is extremely durable and reliable throughout a long useful life, and wherein the unique modular construction permits of quick and easy disassembly or partial disassembly for rearrangement to satisfy a change in requirements, as well as repair and replacement of parts.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a hose-reel construction having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, which is capable of use with a wide variety of fluids, and also with suction or vacuum, if desired, permitting of accurate, leakproof assembly without requiring expensive precision-machining operations.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawing, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing a reel of the present invention, including a mounting bracket.

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of certain parts of the reel of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3a is a partial sectional view similar to FIGURE 3, with parts broken away, and enlarged for clarity.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a transverse sectional view taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 9-9 of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is an elevational view showing a slightly modified embodiment of hose reel of the present invention.

FIGURE 11 is a transverse sectional view taken generally along the line 11-1 1 of FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 12-12 of FIGURE 1 1.

FIGURE 13 is a sectional view similar to FIGURES 7, 9 and l 1, but showing another slightly modified embodiment.

FIGURE 14 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 14-14 of FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 15 is a front perspective view showing an overhead reel assembly of the present invention.

FIGURE 16 is a rear perspective view showing the overhead reel of FIGURE 15.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularly to the drawing, and specifically to FIGURES 1-9 thereof, a reel is shown in FIGURE 1 and there generally designated 10, the reel being carried by a mounting member 11.

The reel 10, see FIGURE 3, includes a generally cylindrical core 12, carrying at opposite ends a pair of end members of flanges 13 and 14. The reel 10 is rotatably mounted on a pair of aligned shafts 15 and 16, which extend into opposite ends of the reel 10 through respective end members 13 and 14. The shafts 15 and 16 are provided at their outer ends with generally radially extending, substantially rigid conduits or tubes 17 and 18, respectively, which may be detachably fixed to the mount 11.

More specifically, the reel core 12 is of sectional or modular construction, including a primary, generally cylindrical, intermediate section 20. The primary core section 20 is formed at opposite ends with centrally located outwardly opening recesses 21 and 22. Thus, as best seen in FIGURES 3 and 8, the recesses 21 and 22 may be generally cylindrical, located in alignment with each other axially of the primary section 20, and opening through opposite ends thereof. Further, the inner ends of the recesses 21 and 22 are spaced from each other. Advantageously, each recess 21 and 22 is formed at its open end with an enlarged circumferential portion or open groove, as at 23 and 24, respectively.

The circumference of primary section 20 is formed with a generally right-angular cutout or notch 26, being longitudinally coextensive with the primary section and having a wall 27 generally radially of the primary section. Carried on the radial wall 27 of cutout 26 may be a pair of hose connectors 28 and 29 for location essentially within the cylindrical ambit of the primary section.

Generally diametrically opposed to the cutout 26, there may be formed in the periphery of the primary section 20 an additional cutout or notch 31, having a generally radial wall 32 carrying an additional hose connector 33. The primary core section 20 is formed with an internal transverse passageway 35 extending generally radially inwardly to the recess 21, and is further formed with a branch passageway 36 opening between the passageway 35 and the hose connection 33. The radially outer end of passageway 35 may be closed by a ball or plug 37 press-fit into the passageway.

An additional transverse passageway 38 extends generally diametrically through the primary core section 20, intersecting with the recess 22, and communicates through a branch passageway 39 with the hose connection 29. The bore of passageway 38 may have its outer end closed by a ball or plug 40 press-fit therein. An additional, generally radial passageway 41 is formed in the primary core section 20, opening centrally thereof, as at 42, in spaced relation between the inner blind ends of recesses 21 and 22. A branch passageway 43 may be formed in the primary core section 20 connecting the passageway 41 to the hose connection 28. The outer end of passageway 41 may be suitably closed, as by a press-fit plug or ball 44.

The core 12, in addition to the primary core section 20, includes a pair of generally cylindrical auxiliary core sections 46 and 47 located in aligned abutting engagement with opposite ends of the primary core section. More specifically, the auxiliary core section 46 is fixed in substantial end-to-end alignment with the primary core section 20 adjacent to the recess 21, and the auxiliary core section 47 is fixed in end-to-end alignment with the primary core section adjacent to recess 22. The auxiliary core sections 46 are each formed with a central thru hole, the auxiliary section 46 being formed with a thru hole 48 having a reduced portion 49 adjacent to the recess 21. That is, the thru hole 48 and its reduced portion 49 are located centrally of the cylindrical auxiliary section 46, in aligned relation with the adjacent recess 21. Similarly, the auxiliary section 47 is formed with a central thru hole 50 having a reduced portion 51, which hole and reduced portion are in alignment with the recess 22. The auxiliary sections 46 and 47 may be cut away, as at 52 and 53 respectively, adjacent to the notch 26 to facilitate manipulation of the hose connections 28 and 29.

Inserted in respective auxiliary-section openings 48 and 50 are journal bearings 54 and 55. Also, an annular or cylindrical seal is engaged in each recess 21 and 22, as at 56 and 57, adjacent to respective auxiliary sections 46 and 47. More particularly, the annular seal 56 includes a circumferential flange 58 seated in the enlargement 23 of recess 21, and clamped therein by bearing engagement with the auxiliary section 46. Similarly, the cylindrical seal 57 includes a circumferential flange 59 seated in the enlargement 24 of recess 22 and clamped therein by bearing engagement with its adjacent auxiliary section 47.

The shaft is formed internally with a generally axially extending bore 61, and includes a reduced journal portion 62 extending through the inner race of bearing 54. Further, extending from the reduced journal portion 62 of shaft 15 is a reduced nipple portion 63 which engages through the seal 56, having its open end communicating with the interior of passageway 21. The nipple portion 63 of shaft 15 is slidably received in the seal 56, so that an effective hermetic seal is maintained therebetween.

The longitudinal bore 61 of the shaft 15 may terminate short of the outer shaft end, and a generally radially extending branch passageway 65 may communicate with the bore 61 and receive one end of tube 17. A relatively small conduit or tube 66 extends longitudinally through and in spaced relation within the bore 61, having its inner end extending entirely across the recess 21 and slidably through the material of primary core section to enter the inner end region 42 of passageway 41. Further, the conduit or tube 66 may extend outwardly beyond the outer end of bore 61 and open into a radial bore or passageway 67 in which may be connected a supply tube or conduit 68, see FIGURES l and 2. The tube 66 may be fixed relative to the shaft 15, and a close sliding fit through the material of primary core section 20 into the passageway 41, so that fluid communicating from conduit 68, passageway 67, conduit 66 to passageway 41 is effectively iso lated from fluid communicating through bore 61 and recess 21.

The shaft 16 may be similar to the shaft 15, including a reduced portion 70 extending through bearing 55, and a reduced nipple 71 extending from the reduced portion 70 in sealed relation rotatably through the seal 57 opening into the recess 22. Generally axially within the shaft 16 there is formed a passageway or bore 72 having a generally radial branch 73, to which is connected the supply conduit or pipe 18.

It will thus be appreciated that the primary and auxiliary core sections 20, 46 and 47 may be considered as the core 12, and that the communicating recess 21 and adjacent hole 48 may be considered an internal hollow within the core, as well as the recess 22 and its communicating hole 50 may be considered an internal hollow within the core.

By reason of the supply conduits or pipes 17 and 18 extending through spaced portions of the mounting member 11, and

being fixedly secured thereto, as by fastener elements 75 and 76, the shafts 15 and 16 are maintained fixed in their axially aligned spaced relation. Further, the core 12 is rotatably mounted on the aligned shafts 15 and 16 by means of the bearings 54 and 55. Further, the spool or reel end members 13 and 14 are respectively fixed in facing engagement with auxiliary core sections 46 and 47.

More particularly, the spool or reel end member 13 may include a generally circular inner plate or disc 78 having a central opening and spacedly circumposed about the shaft 15 in facing engagement with the outer side of auxiliary core section 46. The spool or reel end member 14 may be a generally circular or centrally open annular plate 79 spacedly circumposed about the shaft 16 in bearing engagement with the outer side of adjacent auxiliary core section 47 Suitable fastener means, such as a plurality of tie rods or bolts 80 may extend through the plates 78 and 79, see FIGURE 6, and the interposed core sections 20, 46 and 47, to maintain the core 12 and end members 13 and 14 as a rotary unit.

The plate 78 of end member 13 may be formed with one or more transverse bores 81, containing slidable pins or detents 82. The bores 81 open radially inward for communication with an external notch 83 formed on the shaft 15, so that a pin or detent 82 falls gravitationally in its bore 81 into the notch 83 to limit movement of the end member 13 and entire reel 12 to rotation in a single direction. However, upon reel rotation at sufficient angular velocity, the detents or pins 82 are centrifugally held away from engagement in the notch 83 for coiling of the reel.

Carried on the outer side of the plate 78 may be a generally circular housing 85 enclosing a spiral resilient member or spring 86 having its opposite ends connected to the end member 13 and shaft 15. More particularly, the housing 85 may be secured to the plate 78 by a plurality of fasteners 87, and one end of the spring 86, as at 88 may be engaged about one of the fasteners 87. The other, inner end of spring 86, as at 89 may engage in a notch 90 on the shaft 15.

Hence, by the action of spring 86, automatic rotation of the spool or reel 12 in one direction is effected, while the detents 82 serve to hold the reel in any selected position of its rotation against the action of spring 86.

Connected to the several hose connectors 28, 29 and 33 may be respective hoses 92, 93 and 94. In the illustrated embodiment, the several hoses are secured together along their length for convenient simultaneous coiling and uncoiling with respect to the reel 12, upon rotation of the reel in opposite directions.

It will now be understood that the several hoses 92, 93 and 94 are each connectable to a separate source of fluid supply, either pressure or vacuum, for independent and selective use of the fluid supplies as desired. More specifically, the hose 92 is connected to the hose connector 28, which is in fluid communication through passageway 41, conduit 66 and supply pipe 68 with a suitable source of fluid supply, say pressurized air for dental use in blowing or removing chips. The hose 93 is connected through connector 29 and passageway 38, recess 22, passageway 72 and supply pipe 18 to another suitable supply, say water for rinsing and washing a dental patient's mouth. Further, the relatively large conduit 94 may be connected through connector 33, passageways 36 and 35, recess 21, bore 61 and pipe 17 with still another source of fluid supply, say relatively high-pressure air for operating a dental drill. Of course, other utilization may be made of the instant hose-reel construction.

Referring now to FIGURES lO-l 2, there is shown in FIGURE 10 a reel, generally designated 10a, wherein a generally cylindrical core 12a includes a primary core section 20a and a single auxiliary core section 46a. The core sections 12a and 46a are rigidly secured together as a unit, and rigidly secured on opposite ends of the core 12a are end members 13a and 14a, which may be substantially identical to end members 13 and 14 of the first-described embodiment. Also, the auxiliary section 46a may be essentially similar to auxiliary section 46.

However, the primary core section 20a illustrates a slight modification, see FIGURES l l and 12, the core section 20a being formed in one side or end with a central recess 21a having an enlarged portion 23a opening to the adjacent auxiliary section 46a. Formed on the periphery of core section 20a is a right-angular cutout or notch 26a having a generally radial face or wall 27a, to which is fixed a hose connector 28a. A transverse passageway 35a extends generally diametrically within the core section 20a, intersecting the recess 21a and in fluid communication with a branch passageway 36a for connection to the hose connector 28a. A plug or ball 37a may be force-fit in an open end of the passageway 35a to close the latter.

In assembly with the auxiliary core section 46a, the recess 21a combines with a central thru opening of the auxiliary section to define an internal hollow in the core 12a. A hose 92a may have one end connected to the hose connector 28a and wound about the core 12a between the end members 12a and 14a. It will appear in the embodiment of FIGURES -12, that a single shaft 15a may be employed to rotatably support the reel 10a. For greater hose-carrying capacity, the core 12a may be extended, as by an additional section or sections 96, shown in phantom, to further space the end member 14a from the end member 13a. Obviously, the embodiment of reel 10a utilizes only a single hose, and therefore only a single source of fluid, so that the fluid supply through pipe 66 of the first described embodiment may be omitted. However, a two-hose reel may be employed with only a single journal shaft, if desired, by utilizing the pipe 66 and a corresponding primary core section structure and hose, as in the firstdescribed em bodiment.

Optionally, as shown in FIGURES l3 and 14, a primary core section is there generally designated b and may be of generally cylindrical configuration, having a pair of central noncommunicating recesses 21b and 22b opening through 0pposite ends or sides of the core section. The core section 20b is peripherally notched, as at 26b, having a generally radial wall 27b provided with a pair of hose connectors 28b and 29b. The core section 20b is formed with internal transverse passageways 35b and 38b communicating between respective recesses 21b and 22b, and their associated hose connectors 28b and 29b.

A primary core section 20b, as in FIGURES l3 and 14 may be substituted in the first-described embodiment for the primary core section 12 when there are required only two hoses and sources of fluid supply. in such instance the pipe 66 and its supply conduit may be eliminated.

Accordingly, it is seen that the hereinbefore described sectional reel construction affords a wide degree of versatility in assembly, installation and use, with a minimum of parts.

In FIGURE 15 is shown a casing 97 adapted to enclose a reel of the present invention, and including as part of the easing a mounting member llc similar to the mounting member ll of the first-described embodiment. Thus, the mounting member He may be secured to a support 98, and the casing 97 may have one or more thru openings 99 extensibly and retractably passing a hose or hoses 100. In FIGURE 16 the casing orenclosure 97 is shown from the rear, wherein it is better seen that the supply pipe or pipes, as at 17c and 18c may extend through the mounting member llc for connection in fluid communication with suitable sources of fluid supply,

vacuum or the like.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a hose-reel construction which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, installation and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

lclaim:

l. A hose reel comprising a fixed shaft having a longitudinally extending through bore, a generally cylindrical core having an internal hollow opening through one core end and receiving one end of said shaft for fluid communication between said bore and hollow, journal means generally concentrically mounting said core on said shaft for rotation there about, a hose connection externally of said core for rotation therewith, said core having a transverse passageway communicating between said hose connection and hollow, and a flexible hose having one end connected to said connector for coiling and uncoiling about said core upon core rotation, said core comprising a generally cylindrical primary core section having a central recess on one end, and a generally cylindrical auxiliary core section detachably fixed to said primary core section on said one end of the latter and having a central through hole opening into said recess, said hole and recess combining to define said hollow, said hole receiving said journal means and said shaft extending through said journal means and opening into said recess, and a tubular seal of flexible elastic material having a radial flange clamped in sandwiched relation between said core sections and extending therefrom into said recess snugly surrounding said shaft in sealing relation thereto, whereby the sealing pressure between said seal and shaft derives from the elasticity of said seal in the absence of fluid pressure within said recess and increases in proportion to the fluid pressure within said recess.

2. A hose reel according to Claim 1, said primary core section having a second central recess on its other end, said core comprising a second generally cylindrical auxiliary core section detachably fixed to said primary core section on said other end thereof and having a second central thru hole opening into said second recess, said second recess and said second hole combining to define a second hollow, a second shaft having a second longitudinal thru bore extending into said second hollow, a second hose connector externally of said primary core section for rotation therewith, said primary core section having a second transverse passageway communicating between said second hose connector and said second recess, and a second hose having one end connected to said second connector for coiling and uncoiling about said primary core section upon rotation of the latter.

3. A hose reel according to Claim 2, in combination with second journal means disposed in said second auxiliary section hole surrounding said second shaft.

4. A hose reel according to Claim 1, said primary section having an additional transverse passageway terminating centrally of said primary section and isolated from said hollow, a fixed conduit extending spacedly through said shaft bore and opening into said additional passageway, an additional hose connector externally of said primary core section communicating with said additional passageway, and an additional hose having one end connected to said additional connector for coiling and uncoiling about said primary core section upon rotation of the latter.

5. A hose reel according to Claim 4, said shaft bore extending generally axially of core rotation, and said conduit extending across said recess and rotatably through the material of said primary core section into said additional passageway.

6. A hose reel according to Claim 5, said primary core section having a second central recess on its other end, said core comprising a second auxiliary section detachably fixed to said primary core section on the other end thereof and having a central thru hole opening into said second recess, said second recess and said second auxiliary section hole combining to define a second hollow, a second shaft having a second longitudinal thru bore extending into said second hollow, a second hose connector carried externally of said primary section, said primary section being formed with a second transverse passageway communicating between said second hose connector and said second recess, second journal means interposed in said second auxiliary section hole about said second shaft, and a second hose having one end connected to said second connector for coiling and uncoiling about said primary core section upon rotation of the latter.

7. A hose reel according to Claim 6, in combination with resilient means operatively connected between said core sections and shafts for resiliently urging said core sections in one direction of rotation and detent means for releasably holding said core sections in a selected position of rotation. 

